New Mercies Every Morning

I love mornings, and there is something about a new day dawning. I usually awaken refreshed and can look in anticipation to engage in new opportunities. Mornings are normally my most productive time of the day, and by the afternoon my energy is waning. It is certainly energizing to know that God’s mercies are available to us as we begin a new day. To those who place their hope in the Lord, he promises unending love, great faithfulness and new mercies every morning.

Lamentations is a unique book in the Old Testament, consisting of five poems. The author reflects back about Babylon’s siege of Jerusalem and the exile that followed. These optimistic words found in today’s scripture are the seedbed of hope. Just as people live with the certainty that the sun will rise in the morning, as believers we can trust and have hope that God’s steadfast love and faithfulness will greet us again and his mercies will be renewed every morning.

The Hebrew word for mercies is “Hesed.” Hesed involves action on behalf of someone in need, and it describes a sense of love that inspires merciful and compassionate behavior toward another person. This biblical word is found 250 times in the Old Testament, and it expresses an essential part of God’s character,

When we come to faith in Christ so much changes. In Matthew 5:7, Jesus said, “ Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Because of God’s steadfast love we can receive his mercies morning, noon and night and become his instruments of mercy towards others. He extends his mercy towards us so that we can extend it to others. I once heard that mercy requires us to love others and value others' welfare above our own. Receiving the Lord’s mercy and extending it to others will always bring glory to God because it is supernatural and will build his kingdom.

Lord, thank you for helping me place my hope in the hands of a Savior who offers mercy. Thank you for giving me opportunities to share your mercy with others and to help build your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Additional Resource: Here are biblical resolutions you'll want not just for the new year, but for your lifetime.